1980 GL1100 cafe

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ogrebro
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1980 GL1100 cafe

#1

Post by ogrebro »

Decided I needed a new project so bought a 1980 GL1100 standard to build a Cafe bike. One of the things I would like to do is put later model front forks, brakes etc on this. I was looking at my sons FZ1 Yamaha this morning and it looks stout enough. I've seen some pics of other front suspensions on wings but have no idea of what was used. What doner bikes work and how hard are they to adapt? This is my 4th wing and I'm looking to build a comfortable cafe!
Thanks!
Bill
Last edited by ogrebro on Sun May 04, 2014 11:08 am, edited 1 time in total.
1980 Interstate, 2be Café
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irishcarbomb
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Re: 1980 GL100 cafe

#2

Post by irishcarbomb »

First gen Hayabusa front ends have been used, I went with 03-04 gsxr 1000 (by accident). Without spacers it lowers the front 2". Its quite an easy swap, just requires grinding down the frame neck a bit and a bearing conversion kit from All Balls Racing.

Welcome to NGW! Lots of knowledge here... You can see pictures of how they look on my bike in the build thread(linked below in my signature)

Mine became a bit of a combination with gsxr 1000 forks/wheel, 750 brake calipers and hayabusa discs.
1983 GL1100 Fuel Injected Turbo Build Thread
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ogrebro
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Re: 1980 GL100 cafe

#3

Post by ogrebro »

Thanks! Guess I need to do some research on stem lengths and check on rear ended GSXRs.
Thank you again!
Bill
1980 Interstate, 2be Café
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Re: 1980 GL100 cafe

#4

Post by Old Fogey »

irishcarbomb wrote:First gen Hayabusa front ends have been used, I went with 03-04 gsxr 1000 (by accident). Without spacers it lowers the front 2". Its quite an easy swap, just requires grinding down the frame neck a bit and a bearing conversion kit from All Balls Racing.

Welcome to NGW! Lots of knowledge here... You can see pictures of how they look on my bike in the build thread(linked below in my signature)

Mine became a bit of a combination with gsxr 1000 forks/wheel, 750 brake calipers and hayabusa discs.
That would be a bit of overkill on a GL100, dontcha think !! :-D :-D
(understand; no-wone on here ever mackes mistookes with spelling, nor enything else! ohno sir, not us :IDTS: :IDTS: )

Welcome to the nut-house. Ask away! Anything we don't know, we can sure make up an answer that seems like we do!

As far as I remember, early 90s CBR600 forks are a straight swap-in.
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Re: 1980 GL100 cafe

#5

Post by ogrebro »

Old Fogey
As typing and computer usage are not my thing I beg forgiveness of the spelling gods!
I'm a old dinosaur when it comes to these things. I've been reading up on how to post pictures so I can show the beginning of this project and get some advice on the build I'm planning. Thanks for the input on the CBR 600 forks! Not having looked at them are they stout enough for an 1100 GW?
Thanks again
Bill
1980 Interstate, 2be Café
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Re: 1980 GL1100 cafe

#6

Post by Old Fogey »

Bill, I am going from memory. My remembery is not nearly as good as my forgetery. :-D :-D

I think the 90s CBR's are 41mm diam. but I'm not sure on the length of them. Someone else on here fitted Magna forks to a Wing; pretty sure they are the same diam and probably a bit longer .
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Re: 1980 GL1100 cafe

#7

Post by ericheath »

The Magna forks are too much longer for most builds. I think it was Dangeruss who posted the easier CBR swap. Here:http://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=39516

I did the same with a Magna. Different look even with two inch longer stops?? to shorten it. It rides nice and sure firms up the feel. The V65 Magnas had 41 mm forks, same as CBR and gl1200. Cyborg did the full 1200 swap on his.

I think you will run into some wheel/ brake spacing issues.
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77 WING, 1200 engine with 77 heads, cams, gl1100 foot pegs, Magna V65 front end, 764A carbs, [-gone Suzuki M109 monoshock--, replaced with gl1100 shocks] gl 1200 swing arm, gl1500 final drive, wheel and rear brakes Valkyrie seat, Meanstreak tank, Sportster pipes, Power Arc ignition off crank.
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Re: 1980 GL1100 cafe

#8

Post by ogrebro »

I'm wondering if there is a way to use a complete front suspension with steering stem, triple trees ,bars ,front wheel, brakes and all off of a newer bike to get a better handling GW. Is there any source that might have the specs of steering stem lengths to compare? This may sound foolish but this really intrigues me!
Thanks for the input!
Bill
1980 Interstate, 2be Café
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irishcarbomb
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Re: 1980 GL1100 cafe

#9

Post by irishcarbomb »

ogrebro wrote:I'm wondering if there is a way to use a complete front suspension with steering stem, triple trees ,bars ,front wheel, brakes and all off of a newer bike to get a better handling GW. Is there any source that might have the specs of steering stem lengths to compare? This may sound foolish but this really intrigues me!
Thanks for the input!
Bill
That is what I did...

Here are some good links I used when researching the swap. Hard to find info on stem lengths, but they provide almost everything else.

http://www.svrider.com/forum/showthread.php?t=135430
http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=5669.0
http://forums.kz650.info/index.php?topic=9105.0
1983 GL1100 Fuel Injected Turbo Build Thread
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ogrebro
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Re: 1980 GL1100 cafe

#10

Post by ogrebro »

Thanks Irishcarbomb! action1 This is going to make my head hurt really good! lolol
Bill
1980 Interstate, 2be Café
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Re: 1980 GL1100 cafe

#11

Post by ogrebro »

Well here is the beginning of this project in all it's glory dancr
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1980 Interstate, 2be Café
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Re: 1980 GL1100 cafe

#12

Post by Casper »

I can see that bike is just screaming 'cafe me, cafe me!' Good luck with the build, start a new thread and keep us all in the loop.

Cheers,
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Re: 1980 GL1100 cafe

#13

Post by Barney T Weasel »

Looking forward to watching this change...good luck!
GL1000 '75 model Blue....heading to rat, then cafe racer then full resto...owned 33 years.
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Re: 1980 GL1100 cafe

#14

Post by Easter »

Somewhere in the early part of this thread ( http://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php? ... tall+coils ) is a description of the adaptation of '93 CB1000 front end on a '75 GL 1000. It required some machining to the steering stem but was otherwise straightforward. I have about 600 miles on the bike and am very happy with the results.
Welcome and good luck.
Gary
Bikes at present:

83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
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Re: 1980 GL1100 cafe

#15

Post by ogrebro »

Well after a few hours work I've got her striped down. She looks pretty naked! I think I'll lose the Freightliner taillight and turn signals and look for something a little less obtrusive.
Bill
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1980 Interstate, 2be Café
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